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Its truly awe inspiring when you have one of those moments when you take a step back and are reminded just how much has been achieved by humanity. The louvre in Paris houses some of the greatest objects ever created by human hand, you look at some of these paintings and they are bubbles of information whole worlds are contained on their cracked surfaces. The works of Da Vinci, Raphael, Carravaggio, David, and Delacroix are all marvels as they support a representation of a moment in history. Its almost like revisiting the past you can look at the faces, the expressions and envisage a world far removed from a modern existence. Another thing i saw recently at the Musee De pinacothèque is an exhibition of watercolour’s by an artist called Hugo Pratt, who is responsible for one of the most famous comics or hero ever created. Corto Maltese is one hell of a hero based upon sound facts found in the real world no superpowers, more magic. One could say that the fluidity and expressiveness of his paintings where bewitching and inspirational and is something I plan to return to when I get back to England.

Another thing that I found stupendously uplifting is the story of Takeshi Kanno a Japanese doctor. On March 11 2011 the 33 year old doctor was on duty at the Shizugawa public hospital in the japanese town of Minami Sanriku when he heard the the tsunami alert. He moved dozens of patients to the highest floor saving their lives and refused to leave until the last of those under his care where evacuated. It had been three days since the earthquake and he finally made it back to his wife, just before she gave birth. The second child was named Rei which evokes two meanings, the first in English means ‘a beam of light’. Secondly in Chinese and Japanese ‘the wisdom to overcome hardship’ (taken from the Time article by Krista Mahr, May 2 2011). I cant think of a story that epitomizes kindness, strength, and altruism in such a powerful way we should all be grateful to people who lead by example. Another message supporting kindness and compassion over desire and greed is that of the new film Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Starring Andy Serkis as CGI chimp Caesar who becomes super intelligent and brakes free from the shackles imposed upon him from humankind worth a watch.

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. – Buddha. “